Asian Sport Business Round Up

Last week’s news included a mix of soccer, field hockey, cycling and golf along with an update on the 2014 Asian Games and a media deal. Singapore’s soccer team Albirex Niigata has a new backer. The Japanese sports brand Gol.Japan replaces Adidas as the team apparel sponsor. The Japanese J League club affiliate will wear Gol.Japan playing kits from next January till the end of the 2016 season. The Burman family, owners of the Indian medicine manufacturer Dabur, have bought a franchise of the new Hockey India League to be based in Mumbai. The Burmans join the ranks of Sahara Group and Uniexcel Group as owners of the six-team league scheduled to begin its first season on January 5 with local broadcast coverage provided by Star Sports. In cycling news, the Japanese bicycle parts maker Shimano has extended its title sponsorship arrangement with the Argos Shimano road cycling team. The Dutch team is expecting the outcome of its application to join the top-level UCI World Tour. The deal should be worth about USD $3 million. Korean golf ball producer Volvik has become a major sponsor of the 2013 Australian Ladies Masters. The company joins the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria as a co-title sponsor . The 2013 Volvik RACV Ladies Masters is scheduled to be played between the 1st and 3rd February at the Royal Pines Resort in Benowa, Queensland. There’s lots of news from the Incheon 2014 Asian Games. The Korean electronics giant Samsung has agreed to sponsor various categories of the event as well as supply laptops and PCs. Other sponsors include Korean Air and the Swiss watch maker Tissot. The Olympic Council of Asia announced that the 2019 edition of the Asian Games will be held in Hanoi. “Vietnam has all the tools,” says Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, “a country with big potential and a booming economy.” Organizers say they plan to improve the city’s infrastructure with the addition of highways, a new airport terminal and various sports facilities. The Vietnamese capital has a population of 7 million. The week rounded off with a media deal. The National Basketball Association has joined up with the Sony Six channel in broadcasting NBA games in India. The three-year deal includes live NBA games and original programming as well as hosting live grassroots events in the country. Organizers hope to engage Indian youth by bringing together top NBA players and celebrities from Sony Entertainment and Bollywood. Sony Six will cover live NBA games every Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with replays in primetime. The broadcaster will air 72 NBA regular season games, up to 18 playoff games, the Eastern and Western conference finals, the NBA finals and All-Star events. Industry insiders see the move as a way to further develop the popularity of American professional basketball in India. www.sportsfestivalasia.com